The West Indies were in a record-setting mood on Monday night as they achieved the highest Powerplay score in T20 World Cup history and set their highest World Cup score, dominating Afghanistan at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
Nicholas Pooran was the star of the show, blasting the hosts to 92 for one in the Powerplay and propelling them to 218 for five, their highest T20 World Cup score. The Group C encounter, though having no bearing on Super Eight placements, was crucial for maintaining momentum.
Pooran, who finished just shy of a century with 98 off 53 balls, smashed eight sixes and six fours, surpassing his previous T20 International best of 82. His blistering innings helped the Windies secure a commanding 104-run victory as Afghanistan replied with 114 all out in 16.2 overs.
Highest run-scorer in T20Is for the West Indies
The left-handed Pooran, already the highest run-scorer in T20Is for the West Indies, took his tally past 2,000 runs during an explosive over from Azmatullah Omarzai that yielded 35 runs. This over set the tone for the Windies, putting them at 73 for one early in the match.
Brandon King initially set the pace, flicking a four off the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Fazalhaq Farooqi on the first ball. Johnson Charles continued the aggressive start, hitting boundaries off Omarzai. Despite losing King early, Charles and Pooran kept the scoreboard ticking with a flurry of boundaries.
Pooran was particularly severe on Omarzai, hitting him for a six, a four off a no-ball, and capitalizing on a wide delivery for five wides. He ended the over with a series of boundaries, leaving the Windies at 92 for one by the end of the Powerplay, a new World Cup record.
Afghanistan managed to stem the flow of runs momentarily, with Naveen-ul-Haq and Noor Ahmad bowling economical spells. However, Pooran reignited the innings with a spectacular assault on Rashid Khan, hitting him for three sixes and a four in one over. This spree helped the Windies post a formidable total.
Never recovered after losing early wickets
In response, Afghanistan never recovered after losing early wickets. Akeal Hosein dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck, and Obed McCoy took two quick wickets to leave Afghanistan reeling at 59 for four after eight overs. The Afghan innings collapsed, with Hosein finishing with two for 21 and Gudakesh Motie taking two for 28. McCoy, in his first game of the tournament, ended with impressive figures of three for 14.
West Indies now turn their attention to the Super Eight stage, starting with a match against England at the same venue. With confidence high and momentum on their side, the Windies are well-positioned for the next phase of the tournament.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly before facing India at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
